Retaining ring retention system and method

A method for providing a retained member configured to prevent centrifugal force from disassociating a retaining ring provided with lugs from a groove located on a rotatable shaft when securing the retained member to the rotatable shaft and rotating with the shaft, comprising the steps of:

• providing a retained member that includes a substantially annular portion that defines an opening and a semi-circular retention lip that includes a cutout portion, which separates first and second ends of the retention lip, wherein:
• the opening is sized to receive the rotatable shaft so that the retained member is rotatable with the shaft;
• the cutout portion is configured to accommodate the lugs when in an installing position as the retained member is snap fit into the groove;
• and
• the retention lip is configured to circumscribe the lugs when the lugs are rotated relative to the installing posting into an installed position and in the groove to prevent the lugs from being forced apart by the centrifugal force such that the retaining ring may disassociate from the groove.

A retaining ring retention system, comprising:

• a rotatable shaft provided with a groove;
• a retaining ring provided with lugs including an installed position and an installing position, wherein:
• a distance between the lugs is greater when in the installing position than in the installed position;
• when the lugs are in the installed position:
• the retaining ring is rotated relative to when in the expanded installing position;
• the retaining ring is located in the groove and rotatable with the rotatable shaft;
• a retained member that is secured to the rotatable shaft by the retaining ring, wherein the retained member:
• defines an opening that receives the rotatable shaft so that the retained member is rotatable with the rotatable shaft;
• is provided with a semi-circular retention lip that:
• circumscribes the lugs when in the installed position to prevent the lugs from being forced apart by centrifugal force such that the retaining ring may disassociate from the groove;
• and
• includes a cutout portion, which separates first and second ends of the retention lip and accommodates the lugs when in the installing position.

A method for installing a retaining ring and a retained member on a rotatable shaft provided with a groove, comprising the steps of:

• providing the retaining ring that includes lugs provided with an installed position and an installing position, wherein:
• a distance between the lugs is greater when in the installing position than in the installed position;
• providing a retained member that is provided with a semi-circular retention lip that:
• is adapted to circumscribe the lugs when in the installed position so that the retention lip prevents the lugs from being forced apart by centrifugal force such that the retaining ring may disassociate from the groove;
• and
• includes a cutout portion, which separates first and second ends of the retention lip and accommodates the lugs when in the installing position;
• installing the retained member around the rotatable shaft so that the retained member is rotatable with the rotatable shaft;
• positioning the lugs of the retaining ring within the cutout portion of the retained member and forcing the lugs apart to provide the lugs with the installing position;
• snap fitting the retaining ring in the groove so that the retaining ring is rotatable with the rotatable shaft and the retaining ring secures the retained member to the rotatable shaft;
• rotating the retaining ring relative to the installing position to provide the installed position, whereat the retention lip circumscribes the lugs so that the retention lip prevents the lugs from being forced apart by centrifugal force such that the retaining ring may disassociate from the groove.